**Introduction:**

The meander pattern of a river refers to the winding and looping shape that a river takes as it flows across its floodplain. These curves are created by a combination of various factors, including the river's discharge, sediment load, and the characteristics of the surrounding landscape. Among these factors, the dominant discharge of the river plays a significant role in the development and maintenance of meander patterns.

**Explanation:**

The dominant discharge of a river refers to the average flow rate of water over a specified time period. It is the discharge that occurs most frequently and is responsible for shaping the river's channel and floodplain. The meandering pattern is largely influenced by the interaction between the flowing water and the riverbed. Here is how the dominant discharge influences the development of the meander pattern:

1. **Water Velocity:** The dominant discharge determines the velocity of the river water. Higher discharges typically result in higher flow velocities. As the water flows through the river channel, its velocity varies along the cross-section. The highest velocity occurs near the center of the channel, while the velocity decreases towards the banks. This variation in velocity across the channel leads to the migration of the river channel towards the outer banks, creating the characteristic bends of meanders.

2. **Erosion and Deposition:** The flow of water in a river is responsible for the erosion and deposition of sediment. During high discharges, the increased water velocity enables the river to transport and deposit larger amounts of sediment. As the water flows around the bends of a meander, the velocity decreases, leading to the deposition of sediment on the inner bank. This sediment deposition gradually builds up, resulting in the formation of point bars on the inner side of the bend. On the other hand, erosion occurs on the outer bank where the water velocity is higher, causing the formation of cut banks.

3. **Bank Stability:** The dominant discharge also affects the stability of the riverbanks. The erosion and deposition of sediment along the riverbanks can weaken or strengthen them, depending on the balance between the erosive and depositional forces. Higher discharges typically result in greater erosion, leading to the undercutting of the outer banks and the formation of steep cut banks. Conversely, the deposition of sediment on the inner banks helps to stabilize them and prevent excessive erosion.

**Conclusion:**

In conclusion, the dominant discharge of a river is a crucial factor in the development and maintenance of meander patterns. The flow velocity, erosion and deposition of sediment, and bank stability are all influenced by the dominant discharge. These factors work together to create the characteristic bends, point bars, and cut banks that define meandering rivers. Therefore, option B, which states that the meander pattern of a river is developed by the dominant discharge, is the correct answer.